Imagine a 102 dry room. Then imagine practicing intense yoga in there for 60 to 75 minutes. Then repeat that for 150 days. Welcome to the last several months of my life.

The first time I went to class, I simply wanted check out the new Moksha Yoga London West studio in London, Ontario. The next day a friend wanted to check it out, so I went again. The next day, another friend. And then it was just me--and I figured, why not just keep going?

While I do realize that one is supposed to be thought-free while practicing yoga--moksha, after all, is Sanskrit for release--as a business owner and writer, I couldn't help but notice how my commitment to hot yoga impacted my day-to-day life and my business. Here are some of the parallels:

This wasn't the first time I'd tried to make a commitment to daily exercise, but it was the first time in five years I succeeded. Halfway through my first 30-day challenge, as I was rushing through traffic to make it to 5:30 class, (yes, there is irony in rushing to be peaceful at yoga), it dawned on me that not once had I questioned whether I was actually going to go to class. Instead, each day I looked at the schedule and planned my day to include the priority. In business, we set goals and yet we don't always achieve them. When it comes to networking, I see a lot of frustration around this issue. People just can't--or don't--fit the required activities into their overloaded lives. Despite the best intentions to grow one's network, the to-do list takes priority while the volunteer activities and lunch meetings get pushed. Six months later they're no more connected than when the goal was set. Once you've decided a goal is worth achieving don't question whether or not you should do it. Just make it happen.

Those who work out routinely may wonder, What's the big deal?' 150 classes, heck, you may have done that twice a year, every year, for decades. While it may be no biggie for you, for me it's a huge accomplishment. While I'll spare you the details, I can assure you this personal challenge wasn't without its difficulties.

Once the decision was made to attend class daily, challenges arose and I had to recognize them, think through and find solutions, and then roll out implementation strategies.

In business, it's easy to perseverate on the obstacles or to ignore trouble that is brewing. Neither works. Tackle snags head on and overcome them.

For some, hot yoga may seem easy, but it is assuredly not easy if you do it properly. The goal is to find ease while exuding strength. A correctly executed posture requires exponentially more effort than just going through the motions. Yoga practice is different for everyone. There is no "perfect" way to do a posture and there is no final pinnacle to reach with your practice. It just keeps moving forward, much like business. There are, however, foundational elements that make a practice stronger. Spending time in an easier version of a posture in order to train your body to keep your hip down or core engaged may look boring, but by attending to those fundamentals, you'll be able to eventually--and then suddenly--pop into the "advanced" posture, just the way you wanted.

In business, the foundational pieces are what separate the masters from the people going-out-of-business--especially in a tough economy. Creating strong foundations and processes for customer service, financial management, and overall business practice may take longer to develop but all of a sudden, you will pop into success.

Just as business ebbs and flows, so does a yoga practice. At about the four-month mark, I started to question my abilities and wondered why I wasn't further along in my skills development. Then it dawned on me: back then I couldn't do one Chaturanga Dandasana, let alone several in a row; toppling tree was a posture reserved for the very strong; and the mere mention of "pigeon" was an excuse to roll over and have a break. Hot yoga is like anything that grows gradually: we don't recognize progress because we're living it every day.

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Namaste! 5 Hot Leadership Lessons From The Moksha Yoga Studio

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Then, Stanley Cup MVP Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins gave partial credit to yoga for his big win a couple of years ago, recalled Keserich, goaltender for the Tulsa Oilers.

Has it helped his own game? "Absolutely," Keserich said. "Health, mind, body - it's a total work out."

Still, he admits that he first thought yoga was for women, which is a popular preconceived notion about yoga.

"People are hesitant for whatever reason," said Keri Edwardes, who has practiced yoga for five years and taught for four at local places like St. John Siegfried Health Club. Keserich was even one of her students.

"The hardest part of getting into yoga is walking into the class for the first time," said Edwardes, who joined other local yoga instructors in helping demystify the ancient practice of yoga for folks who might be intimidated by it.

The benefits of taking yoga abound, she said, including increased flexibility, focus and confidence, and decreased symptoms associated with stress.

Before she started doing yoga, Meghan Donnelly was an "extremely stressed" student at Oklahoma State University, putting herself through school, working full time and struggling with a bad relationship.

When she tried yoga, "it was like the best drug," she said, adding how it calmed and centered her. "I wanted some more of that."

Now, at 35, "I look better and feel better than I ever have in my life," said Donnelly, the owner and instructor at Inner Peace Yoga, 7718 E. 91st St.

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Experts, enthusiasts debunk preconceived notions of yoga

Yoga has fast become the go-to exercise routine for both men and women wanting to get fit while they relax. When you want a toned body and a clear mind, yoga can be one of the best forms of fitness. Yoga exercise apparel and accessories are simple and fit all budgets so choose your style from the local stores below and get shopping. Stay toned and healthy all year long, whatever the weather outside.

Photo Credit: ThinkStock

Find luxury yoga clothing and accessories from brands such as Shakti activewear, .72 K and tonic. The store is located within the Bikram Yoga San Rafael studio and offers a vast selection of all things yoga customers could want. The staff is not only extremely friendly but also knowledgeable about what you really need, whether you are a beginner or pro in the yoga world. Products will also be offered online toward the end of the year, so keep a look out for new additions.

Red Dragon Yoga 1701 4th St. San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 306-7904 reddragonyoga.com

This shop offers one of the widest selections of yoga apparel and accessories in the area with seasonal sales on brands including Hard Tail, Beyond Yoga, be present, Om Girl and Shakti activewear, as well as Red Dragons own exclusive collection. Pieces are updated regularly, on trend with the seasons and can easily be worn from the studio through to lunch as lifestyle apparel. The yoga studio is family owned and the environment has been kept to maintain that family vibe which you will notice whether you are stopping in to shop or take a class.

Related: Best Yoga Studios In San Francisco

en-er-gy 450 1st St. E, Suite J Sonoma, CA 95476 (707) 217-4584 en-er-gy.com

A refurbished clothing and accessories store awaits customers at en-er-gy fitness studio where they will find comfortable, eco-friendly pieces. Brands include prAna, be present and ym. As well as clothing, custom yoga mats and towels, you can find unique, locally made gifts such as candles and essential oils. En-er-gy fitness studio is a specialist fitness centre for yoga, body sculpting and dance which is staffed by knowledgeable, well-trained yoga/fitness instructors who also help at the apparel store. They give customers the advice they need when picking products for their exercise lifestyle.

Bikram Yoga Petaluma Yoga Hell Boutique 1484 Petaluma Blvd. Petaluma, CA 94952 (707) 775-2400 bikramyogapetaluma.com

A bold, bright and loud store location can be found at Yoga Hell where yoga apparel and accessories have been specially created for yogis wanting to have fun yet needing the essential pieces for their exercise. Sport the cartoon devil on tees, vests, shorts, water bottles, mats and even pick up a little something at Yoga Heck for the children. The apparel and accessories store is located in the Bikram Yoga studio building and is staffed by locals who all work or take classes at the studio. Expect friendly, homestyle service that goes that extra mile. If you cannot find the size or color you want, just shout it out and someone will get it to you.

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Best Shops For Yoga Clothes And Accessories In North Bay

September is National Yoga Month, and across the country yoga studios are opening their doors -- and hopefully, opening minds, too -- with free classes for anyone interested in learning more about yogas health benefits.

Among the many health benefits is better digestion, with certain yogic postures zeroing in on constipation, bloating, gas and other minor ailments.

In an interview with the Everyday Health website, yoga studio owner Lisa Korchma said that the regular practice of yoga, supplemented by a good diet and possibly even meditation, can bring about better digestive health.

Specific yoga poses, or asanas, do the trick, Korchma said.

Forward folding poses, for instance, compress the abdominal cavity so that when you release the bend, fresh blood and oxygen return to your digestive organs.

Poses using seated twisting can target gas and bloating. Many other non-seated twists, she added, relieve discomfort because they wring out the organs and promote bowel movements.

A similar recommendation for forward bends and twists came from Jillian Pransky, a restorative yoga expert interviewed in Yoga Journal magazine.

Pransky added that as a tension-reliever, yoga can aid peristalsis, the wavelike, involuntary movements of the intestinal muscles necessary for digestion and waste elimination.

In addition, yoga gets good marks among support groups for irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases because it can be an excellent stress reliever.

At the HelpforIBS.com website, an entry on yoga praised it for stabilizing digestion and relieving constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas and pain. It also pointed out that yoga can prevent or minimize menstrual cramps, which often go hand-in-hand with IBS. ___________________________________________________ More From EmpowHER: Go Fish For Heart Health

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Yoga a tool for combating digestive issues

Today, weekends in the city means visiting shopping centres, eating out or visiting theme parks.

Malaysia is now among the top 20 trading nations. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment, (Pisa) our children's reading, mathematics and science skills are ranked 55th, 57th and 52nd against those of other countries but we cannot make light of what we have also lost.

Between 1966 and 1972, I lived in a remote area in Besut, Terengganu, when my father was posted to Sekolah Kebangsaan Darau as a headmaster. Father rented a one-room wooden house. There was no television or electricity but for all I can remember, life was absolutely exciting.

We children would have good fun in our backyard, a small piece of land covered with lallang which belonged to our neighbour.

In front of our house, there was another small piece of land that belonged to another neighbour, filled with thick grass for the cows to graze.

We would pass our time watching the cows graze, giving them water in a bucket if the weather was hot. Accompanied by our neighbour's children, we would spend most our time roaming and running back and forth between the backyard and the front of our house.

How different it is today. Now, most families in the Klang Valley, including mine, have to restrict children from going outside alone for safety reasons.

It is sad to see children today struggling to find a place to play. A child needs to play as a restless child will have shortcomings.

In a way, children today have a less safe and spontaneous social life. Hence, we see stressed teenagers, teenagers running away from home and other juvenile-related issues.

In the 1960s, we walked everywhere. Walking to school was fun as we did it with friends under the rubber trees. Then after school, we walked in another direction for religious classes.

More:
LIFE THEN AND NOW: Growing up in carefree times

During their lunch break Tuesday, Cindy McNeill and Hannah Warme hit the gym for a workout.

At 61, McNeill has been working out regularly at the Carol White Studio in Rapid City for the past eight years. Warme, just 17, has been hitting the gym for the past two weeks.

Both women have the same goal in mind health and fitness.

"I just want to get healthy," Warme said. "I'm getting a lot stronger already."

Warme, who has lost and gained weight before, said she hopes to lose weight with her new workout routine, but her overall goal is something much bigger. She is changing the way she eats and the way she thinks in hopes of avoiding weight-related health issues such as diabetes.

"It's a lifetime change," Warme said. "I want to do this for me."

McNeill started gaining weight in 2003 after she stopped smoking. She started working out with White and lost 30 pounds. Today, she works out three days a week.

McNeill said she worries about the growing issue of obesity in the country. "I think it's horrible," she said. "Education is going to be the key."

Fitness trainer Tanya Wolf said her clients are often overwhelmed by all of the weight-loss gimmicks and plans out there. She helps them understand that they need to get "back to the basics," which are exercise and healthy eating.

Wolf, who works at White's studio, tries to get her clients to take a holistic approach to their health. They look at how they eat and how much they move. Then, they make a plan from there.

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Women focus on health, fitness

September 19, 2012 3:38PM

Family health, safety and fitness fair

Help your family and friends learn to be safer this school year and join Rush-Copley for Play it Safe a family health, safety and fitness fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Rush-Copley Healthplex, 1900 Ogden Ave., Aurora.

Kids of all ages and adults will be able to learn and interact with a variety of fun and educational exhibits both indoor and outside, including stranger danger education, touch a truck with a fire and ambulance exhibit, fitness demos, sports and water safety, backpack safety, concussion prevention and child safety seat checks by a certified child passenger safety technicians.

Drawings will include a free Discovery Club birthday party, swimming lessons and other prizes.

No registration is required. Learn more about Play it Safe at http://www.rushcopley.com or 866-426-7539.

Michael Madsen at Hollywood Palms

Actor and Chicago native Michael Madsen will host his three favorite films at the Hollywood Palms in Naperville, Sept. 21-22.

Madsen will host Reservoir Dogs at 7:30 and 10 p.m.; Strength and Honour at 7 p.m.; and Vice at 9 p.m. Fans can meet Madsen from 6 to 10 p.m. He also will be on hand to accept an award at the Naperville Independent Film Festival during closing ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22.

Tickets to the screenings are $10 and can be purchased at http://www.atriptothemovies.com. Tickets for the Naperville Independent Film Festival are $22 and can be purchased at http://www.naperfilmfest.org.

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Take Note: Health fair, Hollywood Palms

Prostate cancer screening tests will be given by appointment, 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20. Glendale Adventist Medical Center's cancer center, 381 Merrill Ave. 818-409-8100.

Child and infant CPR class, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20. Fee $30. Reservations required; download registration form from the website. Simi Valley Hospital, in the cafe, 2975 N. Sycamore Drive. 805-955-6890. simivalleyhospital.com

Posture and the Alexander Technique: Shula Sendowski discusses how the technique helps correct muscular habits, noon Monday, Sept. 24. Chatsworth Branch Library, 21052 Devonshire St. 818-341-4276.

Bipolar relief will be discussed by Tom Wootton from Bipolar Advantage, 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24. Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. 415-992-5315. bipolaradvantage.com

New Horizons lecture: Self-Advocacy Wesley Witherspoon gives a talk geared for special needs individuals but useful for the general public, 3-4 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26. 15725 Parthenia St., North Hills. 818-300-7123. newhorizons-sfv.org

Prostate Cancer Screening at Simi Valley Hospital, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 30. Appointment required by Wednesday, Sept. 26. 2975 N. Sycamore Drive. 805-955-6899.

Pregnancy Resource Center of the San Fernando Valley Run/Walk for Life and Family Fun Day: Fundraiser for the

Los Angeles County Heart Walk: The American Heart Association's 5K walk/run to raise awareness of, and funds for, research on heart disease and stroke, 8 a.m.-noon Sept. 29. Pledges of $100 receive a T-shirt. Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. 213-291-7094. heartwalkla.org

Walk for Lupus Now: Fundraiser for programs and services offered by the Lupus Foundation of America, 10 a.m. Sept. 29. Entry of $100 for T-shirt. Check-in, 9 a.m. Exposition Park, enter at Figueroa and 39th streets, Los Angeles. 877-910-9779. walkforlupusnow.org/losangeles

Kids Health and Fitness Day: The Conejo Recreation & Park District and the National Charity League present the event with hands-on activities for children to learn about nutrition and exercise, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 29. Free. Thousand Oaks Community Center, 2525 N. Moorpark Road. 805-381-2793. crpd.org

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Health & wellness classes and events in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas beginning Sept. 20, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

More than half of Americans say candidates positions on Social Security and Medicare are very likely to impact their vote during the upcoming election but debate over the future of these programs doesnt appear to be prompting an increase in personal retirement savings. In fact, the number of U.S. consumers who report making financial preparations for retirement has fallen to 70%, the lowest level in three years, according to a retirement readiness index released today by Ameriprise Financial (AMP). The New Retirement Mindscape 2012 City Pulse index examines the 30 largest U.S. metropolitan areas to determine where consumers are the most prepared for and confident about retirement and also tracks national and local retirement trends over time.

Hartford-New Haven (#1), San Diego (#2) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (#3) claimed the top three spots on the third annual index while Washington D.C. (#30), Charlotte (#29) and Indianapolis (#28) ranked lowest. Metropolitan areas were scored based on responses to a national survey that measured consumers likelihood to have determined the amount of money they need to save for retirement and their actual saving habits. The index also takes into account if people report planning for a variety of activities during retirement and express confidence about achieving their retirement goals.

While the majority of Americans we surveyed express positive feelings about retirement, were still seeing a significant lack of confidence in fact, nearly half admit theyre concerned about outliving their savings, says Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies at Ameriprise Financial. The economic environment surely contributes to this uncertainty, but with proper planning, people can regain a sense of financial security and confidence in the future.

Financial preparedness elevates top ranked metros

Several things set apart the top ranked metros. Residents of Hartford-New Haven, San Diego and Minneapolis-St. Paul are significantly more likely to say they are making financial preparations, including setting aside money for retirement, determining how much they need to save and consulting with a financial advisor. Perhaps as a result, they are also much more likely to feel on track and financially prepared for retirement.

In top-ranked Hartford-New Haven, three-quarters (75%) of residents say theyve set aside money for retirement, compared to 63% of people nationwide. Nearly half (49%) report feeling on track for retirement the most of any metro and a sentiment expressed by significantly fewer consumers across the U.S. (37%).

However, despite the efforts theyve made from a financial standpoint, residents of these areas are only on par with the rest of the nation with regard to planning for the activities theyd like to pursue during retirement a fact which may leave them less prepared than they actually feel. In fact, in third-ranked Minneapolis-St. Paul, where residents report the highest levels of financial preparation, a mere 18% say they have given a lot of thought to where they might live in retirement and how they plan to rest and relax.

While the story isnt as positive for the bottom ranked metros, it may not be as grim as it initially seems. Indianapolis and Washington D.C. are on par with the national average with regard to financial preparation, while Charlotte scores just slightly below. However, residents of these metros report a significant lack of confidence in their ability to reach their retirement goals.

Significant differences and regional trends noted in this years rankings

Excerpt from:
Retirement Readiness Lacking in Some of America’s 30 Largest Metros

SEATTLE, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Report published by Stratford Retirement informs caregivers and elderly about financial options for assisted care.

While Americans continue to live longer than ever, often well past traditional retirement years, there is a growing concern about the ability of Medicaid to cover long-term care cost. What has traditionally been a safety net for middle-income people with assisted care needs, has now turned into a contested political topic.

StratfordRetirement, a licensed memory care and assisted living facility in Seattle, often advises caregivers about the costs associated with long-term care, whether it be in a nursing home, an independent living facility, or at home. Based on their experiences, the staff has releasedareport, free to everyone, that helps the elderly and their loved ones make educated choices about how to pay for assisted care.

Titled "Paying for Assisted Living - A Guide for Seniors and Loved Ones," the report covers the multitude of payment alternatives available to families. It includes information on long-term care insurance, government programs, Aid and Attendance Veterans Benefits. It also includes information about taking advantage of life settlements and home equity.

Assisted living facilities typically offer condominiums or apartment-like housing to senior adults in need of help with everyday tasks. These tasks may include grooming, cleaning, dressing, or even eating. In spite of this extra care, residents of assisted living facilities generally don't require extensive nursing - although this often turns into a need later in life. One of the benefits of assisted living communities is that the expense, or monthly rent, is usually much lower than that of a nursing home.

For seniors who have been living independently for decades, navigating their financial options in this new world may be overwhelming. Many Americans assume Medicare will pay the complete cost of senior housing. The report explains why this is not often the case. Assistance from Medicare is very limited. Although Medicaid typically only covers nursing care, each state sets its own regulations on how funds are distributed.

This report also covers costs associated with memory care, also known as dementia care or Alzheimer's treatment. Memory care is considered a specialized type of assisted living, and the cost structure and payment options are often similar.

Caregivers and families that want to download this report free of charge should head over to: http://stratfordassisted.com/assisted-guide/

About Stratford Retirement

The Stratford at Maple Leaf is a recognized retirement facility that offers Independent, Assisted Living, and Memory Care all under one roof in Seattle.

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Free Stratford Retirement Report Helps People Make Affordable Assisted Living Decisions